Closure assembly

ABSTRACT

An outer closure member having a top panel and depending skirt portion. An inner closure member composed of a different material having an annular vertical wall disposed within the outer closure member and a radially outwardly directed flange integrally formed with the lower marginal edge of the annular vertical wall. An upstanding wall segment on the flange cooperating the flange and the annular vertical wall to define an upwardly open channel. The marginal end of the outer member skirt portion resiliently retained within the channel to prevent accidental relative separation of the outer and inner members but permitting intentional mechanical separation. The outer closure member may be a metal closure having an integral opening device and the inner closure member may be a molded resilient plastic material and adapted to serve both as a gasket and reclosure.

United States Patent [72] inventors Glenn 0. Tribe Richmond, lnd.;

Walter C. Riesen, Jr., Richmond, Ind. [21] Appl. No. 817,648 [22] Filed Apr. 21, 1969 [45] Patented Jan. 26, 1971 [73] Assignee Aluminum Company of America Pittsburgh, Pa.

a corporation of Pennsylvania [54] CLOSURE ASSEMBLY 9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

[51] Int. Cl B65d 43/02,

B65d 23/00, B65d 53/00 [50] Field of Search 215/40, 39,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,792,957 5/1957 Rodriguez 215/39 Primary Examiner-George T. Hall Attorney-Arnold B. Silverman ABSTRACT: An outer closure member having a top panel and depending skirt portion. An inner closure member composed of a different material having an annular vertical wall disposed within the outer closure member and a radially outwardly directed flange integrally formed with the lower marginal edge of the annular vertical wall. An upstanding wall segment on the flange cooperating the flange and the annular vertical wall to define an upwardly open channel. The marginal end of the outer member skirt portion resiliently retained within the channel to prevent accidental relative separation of the outer and inner members but permitting intentional mechanical separation. The outer closure member may be a metal closure having an integral opening device and the inner closure member may be a molded resilient plastic material and adapted to serve both as a gasket and reclosure.

mmmmzsm 3,557,988

INVENTORS. GLEN/V 0. TRIBE and WALTER 6. R/E'SEN, Jr.

Attorney 1 CLOSUREIASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a closure assembly having an outer shell portion and an independent inner portion composed of a dissimilar material. More specifically, the invention relates to a closure shell and closure gasket which are demountably joined so as to prevent inadvertent relative separation during handling, but permit manual mechanical separation during closure removal from a container.

2. Description of the Prior Art It has been known to provide metal closures with various types of skirted gasket liners which serve as a sealing material when the closure is affixed to a container. The gasket liners may take various forms depending upon the type of seal desired. For example, the gaskets may be of a skirted variety with or without a top panel portion. f

It has also been known to provide closures having an outer shell of a substantially rigid material such as metal and an inner resilient gasket having a continuous top panel and depending skirt. US. Pat. No. 3,012,687 discloses a closure having an outer metal shell which incorporates an integral opening device and an underlying full panel gasket which is adapted to function as a reclosure after the outer closure shell has been destructively removed.

One of the problems frequently encountered in the handling of an assembled multipiece closure prior to afflxation to a container is that of inadvertent separation or relative displacement of the assembled component parts. This problem is particularly acute where the parts are not adhesively bonded to each other. Frequently, it is necessary to provide additional retaining parts which serve no other meaningful purpose than to retain the closure assembly intact.

US. Pat. No. 2,680,531 discloses the use of a metal retain ing member to maintain a resilient sealing member and facing member in position. This is accomplished by providing a permanent crimped seam between the lower portion of the retaining member and the lower portion of the metal outer shell. As access to the container contents is obtained through the center of the closure top panel, there is no need to ever separate the retainer from the outer shell and the permanent joint between these two members provides an effective solution, although, as has been noted, the uneconomical use of an additional component is required.

In situations where it may be necessary or desirable to.

separate the inner member from the outer member upon closure removal, a mechanical interference fit is frequently provided. In US. Pat. No. 3,0l2,687 the inner gasket portion is provided with an outwardly directed flange and the outer metal shell is provided with an inwardly directed flange which tends to resist axial separation of the parts. One of the disadvantages of such an interference fit assembly is that awkward manner in which the gasket must be inserted into the shell.

The problem of inadvertent separation of closure parts becomes particularly acute where the closure elements are made from different materials which have different coefficients of thermal expansion. For example, a metal outer shell may be properly assembled with an inner plastic liner member in a suitable friction fit. Should the closures then be transferred to an area of reduced temperature such as a storage warehouse or on a transportation vehicle during winter weather, the assembly would experience a substantial reduction in temperature. As the plastic may have a coefficient of thermal expansion substantially larger than that of the outer metal shell, its rate of shrinkage will be greater than that of the metal shell. This disparity in the rate of shrinkage causes loss of frictional retention with the inner plastic liner falling out of the outer metalshell. Also, where either the change in temperature, the difference in coefficients of thermal expansion or both are insufficient in and of themselves to cause relative separation of the parts, the slight mechanical movement which might be encountered, for example, when the closures are in transit could be sufficient to create relative separation.

LII

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The closure assembly of this invention provides an economical, yet effective, solution to the above-described problems. The closure inner member which may be of the ring, partial top panel orof the full panel reclosure variety has an annular vertical wall which terminates at its lower extremity in a radially outwardly directedflange. An upstanding wall segment on the flange cooperates with the flange and vertical wall to define an upwardly open channel which is preferably circumferentially continuous. The lower marginal end or edge of the outer closure member is resiliently received in demountable engagement within the channel.

The upper portion of the upstanding wall segmentpreferably has an upwardly and radially inwardly directed portion which provides a narrowed entrance throat for the channel. The flange preferably extends radially outwardly beyond the upstanding wall segment to provide a readily engageable portion which facilitates removal. 1

The outer metal shell is preferably provided with an integral opening device and the inner gasket is preferably molded as a unit from a resilient plastic material such as a low density polyethylene.

The gasket flange may have a substantially flat bottom surface and a substantially flat vertical face at its radially outer edge. A portion of the top surface of the flange between its flat vertical face and the upstanding wall segment is preferably flat. The substantially flat bottom surface of the flange may have a plurality of grip assisting means which may take the form of downwardly depending integrally formed bosses or upwardly directed recesses. 3

It is an object of this invention to provide a closure assembly which permits ready assembly and resists accidental relative separation during handling; l I

It is another object of this invention to provide a closure assembly consisting of an outer closure shell and an inner skirted gasket member with joining means being provided by an improved design of the gasket member which maybe simply and economically effected.

It is another object of this invention to provide a gasket member which is adapted to serve both as a gasket during ini-' tial container aflixation and subsequently as a reclosure, which gasket member resists relative separation from the overlying outer closure shell during handling of the assembly prior to closure affixation, but permits ready disassembly upon opening of the container by a consumer.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be'understood from the following description of the invention on reference to the drawing appended hereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view, partially broken away, of one form of closure assembly contemplated by this inven tion.

FIG. 2 illustrates a separated sectional elevational view of two closure assembly components of this invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a fragmentary sectional elevational view of one form of closure assembly contemplated by this invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a fragmentary sectional elevational view of a different embodiment of the closure assembly of this invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a fragmentary sectional elevation of yet another embodiment of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings in greater detail, with specific reference to FIGS. I and 2, FIG. I shows a closure assembly having an outer closure member 2 and an underlying inner closure member 4. The outer closure has a top panel 6 which in one form illustrated has a recessed center portion. An annular skirt 8 is formed integrally with the top panel and depends therefrom. The closure has an integral opening device which consists of a ring pull tap I secured to the top panel 6 by means of a rivet 12. A tear strip I4 is defined by scored or weakened lines l6, 18. (A modified form of weakened line 18 is shown in FIG. 2.) Upon lifting the pull tab 10, score lines 16, and I8 are fractured and the outer closure member may be removed.

Inner closure member 4, in the form illustrated in FIG. I, has a continuous top panel 26 and an annular vertical wall or skirt 28 which is formed integrally therewith. The lower mar ginal edge of vertical wall 28 provides the inner portion of channel 30 which has channel opening 32. The lower marginal end of the outer closure member is in the form of an inwardly curled hollow bead 36 and is received within channel opening 32.

In the form shown in FIG. 3, the inner closure member 2 has a continuous top panel 26 and an annular vertical wall 28 which terminates in a downwardly and radially outwardly directed transition section 40. A substantially horizontally disposed radially outwardly directed flange portion extends outwardly from vertical wall 28 and more specifically from transition section 40 of vertical wall 28. The flange 42 has an upstanding wall segment 44 spaced radially outwardly from said vertical wall 28 and cooperating with flange 42 and annular vertical wall 28 to define channel opening 32.

In the form illustrated in FIG. 3, the upstanding wall segment 44 has an upwardly and inwardly directed upper portion which provides a narrowed throat opening to said channel opening 32. The hollow bead 36 is inserted into channel 32 by resilient radially outwardly directed deformation of upper portion 46 and other parts of upstanding wall segment 34. While the narrowed throat entrance provided by upper portion 46 would be sufi'rcient to provide an interference fit which resists free withdrawal of hollow bead 36 from channel 32, more firm engagement is provided by effecting an interference fit between hollow bead 36 and the inner portions of channel 32.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of means for removing the inner closure member 4 from the container. when the inner member 4 in intended to serve as a reclosure. As is shown in FIG. 3, flange 42 has an engagement portion 48 extending radially outwardly beyond upstanding wall segment 44. It has a substantially flat bottom surface 50 and a substantially flat annular vertical face 52 at its outermost extremity. At least a portion of the upper surface of flange 42 between vertical face 52 and upstanding wall segment 44 is substantially flat. This substantially flat upper portion is indicated by reference numeral 56. It is preferred, but not essential, that the channel base portion 60 be approximately at the same elevation as upper portion 56.

It is also another preferred feature of this invention that transition section 40 of vertical wall 28 be so oriented that channel opening 32 tapers downwardly toward its base 60. This provides for more effective frictional fitting engagement of the lower end of annular skirt 8 of outer closure member 2 and tends to compensate for tolerance variations.

FIG. 4 shows a modified form of the invention. In this embodiment, the outer closure shell 70 has a depending skirt 72 which terminates in a raw edge 74. The channel opening 76 provides for frictional engagement between the lower marginal end or edge of skirt 72 and edge 74. The upstanding wall segment 80 is of substantially rectangular configuration and the channel opening 76 is of substantially uniform width, although a slight downwardly directed taper may be provided. A throat entrance to the channel opening 76 may also be provided if desired. The inner closure member 82 of this embodiment is shown having at least a partial top panel. It could be provided with a full top panel or be a cylindrical ring type hav ing no top panel adapted to provide a side seal. In the latter cases. inner member 82 would function only as a gasket and not as a reclosure member and flange extension 84 could be eliminated if desired.

In the form shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of cnagagement portions are provided. These portions are downwardly depending bosses which are integrally formed within substantially flat bottom surface 92. These provide improved ease of engagement of flange 94 either by the fingers ofthe consumer or by a suitable implement. In lieu of or in addition to the engagement portions 90, upwardly directed recesses 90' may be provided for this purpose.

IN In the preferred form of the invention the exterior ck sure member 2 is composed of metal such as aluminum or tinplate. The inner closure member 4, is preferably molded as a unit from resilient compressible plastic material which is suitable for use both as a sealing gasket and as a reclosure. Among the materials suitable for this purpose are polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride and polypropylene. Because of its high compressibility and acceptable level of product protection, low density polyethylene is well suited to the purpose.

While for purposes of illustration, a hollow bead and raw edge have been illustrated as being the marginal end of the outer shell or member 2, it will be appreciated that this invention in. its broader aspects contemplates the use of various forms of marginal ends. The hollow bead could be outwardly curled, if desired. All that is required is that the receiving end channel be appropriately dimensioned to resiliently engage the marginal end in demountable fashion: This engagement may be purely frictional or frictional and interference type engagement. Assembly of the two componentsis effected simply through relative axial closing movements between the two parts.

Also, the top panel of outer shell 2 may have a recessed panel portion (as shown), a substantially flat top panel, a discontinuous top panel or other desired forms.

While for purposes of illustration the channel portion of the inner member 4 has been illustrated as being circumferentially continuous and this is the preferred form for effecting maximum uniform assembly retention, it will be appreciated that a number of circumferentially spaced channel segments could be provided, if desired.

This invention also provides a flange extension which facilitates manual or implement engagement of the inner member 4 for removal thereof.

This structure, therefore, facilitates ease of assembly, resistance to accidental separation of parts during handling and structually contributes to ease of use of the inner member as a reclosure. It is particularly effective where temperature variations would contribute to the tendency for relative separation during normal handling.

While in the interest of clarity of illustration and explanation specific embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in theart that nu merous variations may be made without departing from the invention disclosed herein and recited in the appended claims.

We claim:

I. In combination:

an outer closure member having a top panel and an annular depending skirt portion;

an a inner closure member composed of a different material than said outer member having an annular vertical wall disposed within said outer closure member and a radially outwardly directed flange formed integrally with the lower marginal edge of said annular vertical wall;

an upstanding wall segment extending upwardly from said flange portion at a position spaced radially outwardly from said annular vertical wall;

said upstanding wall segment cooperating with said flange and said annular vertical wall to define an upwardly open channel, and

the lower marginal end of said outer member secured in resilient demountable engagement within said channel, whereby relative separation of saidouterand inner closure members during handling is resisted. while permitting manual separation during removal of the closure from a container.

2. The combination of claim I wherein:

said outer closure member is composed of metal and has an integral opening device;

said inner closure member is composed of a plastic material and has a continuous top panel integrally connected to the upper portion of said annular vertical wall; and

said continuous top panel disposed in underlying relationship with respect to said top panelof said metal outer closure, whereby upon removal of the closure from a container, the metal outer closure may be separated from the inner closure member.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein:

said lower marginal edge of said outer closure member has a hollow bead;

said upstanding wall segment of said outwardly directed flange has an upwardly and inwardly directed upper portion which provides a narrowed throat opening to said channel; and i said hollow bead is seated within said channel below said throat opening.

4. The combination of claim 2 wherein:

said inner closure member is composed of a resilient plastic material suitable for use as a sealing gasket while the closure is afflxed to a container; and

said outwardly directed flange of said inner closure member extending radially outwardly beyond said integral channel to provide an engageable extension for facilitating removal of said inner closure member from a container.

5. The combination ofclaim 4 wherein:

said annular vertical wall of said inner closure member terminates in a downwardly and radially outwardly directed transition section which merges into said outwardly directed flange; and

said flange has a substantially flat bottom surface which is substantially horizontally disposed.

6. The combination of claim 5. wherein:

said flange has a substantially flat vertical face at its radially outward edge; and

a portion of the top surface of said flange intermediate said upstanding wall segment being substantially flat.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein:

said outer closure member is made of aluminum;

said inner closure member is a unitary molded structure made of low density polyethylene; and

said annular vertical wall of said inner closure member is disposed in circumferentially continuous contact with at least a'major portion of said depending skirt of said outer closure member.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said substantially flat bottom surface of said flange has a plurality of circumferentially spaced integrally formed downwardly directed bosses.

9. The combination of claim 7 wherein said substantially flat bottom surface of said flange has a plurality of circumferentially spaced upwardly directed recesses formed therein.

Patent No.

Dated January 26, 1971 Inventor(s) Col. 2, Line Line Line

(SEAL) Attest:

Attesting Officer FORM PC4050 (10-69) After Line 61 in EDWARD M.FLETCHER.JR.

Glenn 0. Tribe and Walter C. Riesen, Jr.

It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

In Abstract, Line 7, after "cooperating" insert --with-- Col. 1, Line 54, change "that" to --the--.

change "drawing" to -drawings--.

Col. 2, delete the second "drawings".

change "tap" to --tab--.

change "in" to --is-.

delete the first "IN".

after "receiving" delete --end--.

change "structually" to --structurally Col. 4, Line 65, after "an" delete a-.

In references, change Wheaton 3,480,172 to "3,480,173-

Signed and sealed this 8th day of June 1971.

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR Commissioner of Patents 

1. In combination: an outer closure member having a top panel and an annular depending skirt portion; an a inner closure member composed of a different material than said outer member having an annular vertical wall disposed within said outer closure member and a radially outwardly directed flange formed integrally with the lower marginal edge of said annular vertical wall; an upstanding wall segment extending upwardly from said flange portion at a position spaced radially outwardly from said annular vertical wall; said upstanding wall segment cooperating with said flange and said annular vertical wall to define an upwardly open channel, and the lower marginal end of said outer member secured in resilient demountable engagement within said channel, whereby relative separation of said outer and inner closure members during handling is resisted, while permitting manual separation during removal of the closure from a container.
 2. The combination of claim 1 wherein: said outer closure member is composed of metal and has an integral opening device; said inner closure member is composed of a plastic material and has a continuous top panel integrally connected to the upper portion of said annular vertical wall; and said continuous top panel disposed in underlying relationship with respect to said top panel of said metal outer closure, whereby upon removal of the closure from a container, the metal outer closure may be separated from the inner closure member.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein: said lower marginal edge of said outer closure member has a hollow bead; said upstanding wall segment of said outwardly directed flange has an upwardly and inwardly directed upper portion which provides a narrowed throat opening to said channel; and said hollow bead is seated within said channel below said throat opening.
 4. The combination of claim 2 wherein: said inner closure member is composed of a resilient plastic material suitable for use as a sealing gasket while the closure is affixed to a container; and said outwardly directed flange of said inner closure member extending radially outwardly beyond said integral channel to provide an engageable extension for facilitating removal of said inner closure member from a container.
 5. The combination of claim 4 wherein: said annular vertical wall of said inner closure member terminates in a downwardly and radially outwardly directed transition section which merges into said outwardly directed flange; and said flange has a substantially flat bottom surface which is substantially horizontally disposed.
 6. The combination of claim 5, wherein: said flange has a substantially flat vertical face at its radially outward edge; and a portion of the top surface of said flange intermediate said upstanding wall segment being substantially flat.
 7. The cOmbination of claim 6 wherein: said outer closure member is made of aluminum; said inner closure member is a unitary molded structure made of low density polyethylene; and said annular vertical wall of said inner closure member is disposed in circumferentially continuous contact with at least a major portion of said depending skirt of said outer closure member.
 8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said substantially flat bottom surface of said flange has a plurality of circumferentially spaced integrally formed downwardly directed bosses.
 9. The combination of claim 7 wherein said substantially flat bottom surface of said flange has a plurality of circumferentially spaced upwardly directed recesses formed therein. 